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Thanksgiving is almost upon us here in Canada. This year it’s on October 14th. (But not until November 28th in the US). Before you know it, we will be preparing for that big meal. Turkeys will be cooked, veggies and sides will be prepared…and then there’s desserts!

I think holidays and desserts go hand in hand. You just can’t prepare a big holiday meal and forget about the desserts. Apple pie a la mode, pumpkin pie with whipped cream on top, cheesecakes, fruit cobblers, squares, cookies….I can keep going…but then I would have to stop writing and go bake something.

From previous years, I learned that baking whole pies or cakes (or other large desserts) is a lot of work, and many of the guests tell me they are too full to eat another bite and so they pass. I usually try to send leftovers home with select people, but it’s harder to transport delicate desserts so I usually have way too much left. And then of course I have to eat them so they don’t go to waste…but then they go to WAIST!

This year, I have decided to create a mini dessert buffet. Basically, your regular thanksgiving desserts, but made much smaller! I’m thinking that instead of apple pie, I’ll do an individual apple crisp. Perhaps I’ll make a batch of pumpkin mini cupcakes with cream cheese frosting. OH…and chocolate…we need something chocolate! Now I have to narrow down to a few selections. That’s the tough part. I want to bake it all!

The first thing you need to do when you decide to do a mini-dessert buffet is to make sure you know where you are setting it out. The size of the area you have to work with will determine what kind of serving dishes you use and how you lay it out. This could also play a part in what desserts you ultimately decide upon.

If you are working with a small space to set out your mini desserts, build it up instead of laying it out. Go for the stackable or tiered serving trays. These trays are great for bite sized anythings!

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When you are planning to have a larger area for the dessert buffet, separate the varieties by using a different plate or serving dish for each type of dessert. Add interest to the table by creating dimension. Set up a few higher elements, maybe use pedestal cake stands for contrast. If you don’t have any raised serving dishes, put some sturdy boxes under the table cloth; just make sure they are stable and large enough to safely hold the dish you are putting on top.

The next step is to decide what types of mini desserts you will be serving. I usually try and go for things that are bite sized and can be picked up easily, but you could also do tiny parfaits or puddings (make sure you get those tiny spoons if you do this). If you know your guest’s preferences, it should be easy to decide. If you are throwing a dinner party or a get together and don’t know people’s tastes as well, do an assortment of types of mini desserts. For example, have mini cupcakes, some mini cookies, some bars or squares (cut into bite size servings) and finish off with mini parfait dishes filled with a mousse or a layered liqueur/cookie or cake parfait. I always try to stay with the seasonal offerings, like pumpkin or apple based desserts for fall and lighter offerings for spring, like strawberry, orange or minty desserts. And you can never go wrong with CHOCOLATE at any time!

Recipe Ideas for your Mini Dessert Bar

Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookie Cups & Pumpkin Buttercream Frosting

These favorite desserts are a wonderful addition to your Thanksgiving Mini Dessert Buffet. They have all the necessary ingredients to tempt your guests into saving room for the bite size morsels! Pumpkin, cinnamon and chocolate chips! Mmm…delicious!

Click here for Spiced Chocolate Chip Cookie Cup Recipe!

Peanut Butter Bars

Peanut butter bars are a great idea for a mini dessert buffet. You can cut them to any size you want. I use mini paper baking cups as holders. This makes them easier to pick up from the serving tray as well as adding a festive look to the dish. You can buy either solid colors or can get them with holiday themes. I get mine either at Michael’s or the Bulk Barn.

Click here for Peanut Butter Bar Recipe!

Soft Ginger Snap Cookies

Definitely a cookie that would fit on a Thanksgiving dessert tray. These soft Ginger Snap Cookies have all the tasty deliciousness of the classic ginger snap, but they are soft and chewy. Make them in bite size portions and they are the perfect note to end an amazing holiday dinner!

Click here for Soft Ginger Snap Cookie recipe!

Click here to see more of my recipes!

Some great Mini-Dessert Recipes from other Blogs I follow!

Tips for Setting a Great Mini-Dessert Table

Pick a focal point. If you have one extra special dessert, make that the focal point and surround with the rest. Or if all are equally amazing, then perhaps put a centerpiece (reflecting the holiday) or an assortment of decorative candles, etc. as the focal point and arrange all the desserts around it.
Use levels. As mentioned above, your guest’s eyes will move over the table more if you add interesting layers by using different heights of trays, i.e. pedestal cake plate or cleverly placed boxes under a table cloth alongside the flat plates or trays.
Be creative with desserts. Use holiday wraps such as mini-cupcake liners to hold bite sized portions of squares, truffles, mini-cookies, and of course…mini cupcakes themselves! Decorate with holiday trimmings. You can get inexpensive sprinkles, colored sugars, candies like jellybeans or chocolate covered…well…chocolate covered anything to top a mini dessert with.
Make use of a backdrop. Most dessert tables look best when placed against a wall or background that can be tied into the look of the table. Backgrounds can be created in many ways. Try using wallpaper, fabric or any number of other resources. Pinterest is a great place to get inspiration. If it turns out as spectacular as I think it could, take some pictures and use them in next years invitations to your dinner/party.
Make sure you have the correct utensils laid out; tongs to pick up squares, serving forks or spoons, mini forks or spoons if having parfait style dessert.
Have a stack of dessert plates and napkins near the display so that the guests don’t have to go in search of them.
You can add little cards with the names of the desserts to the trays so that guests don’t have keep asking you to identify it. Also, if are unsure if there are food allergies, it’s a good practice to add “contains nuts” on the label card.

What are you serving for your holiday desserts?

Leave a comment below with your great holiday dessert ideas, whether they are mini or not. If you have some great recipes, I would love to try them!

Holiday Mini-Dessert Buffet